Players:
Summary: Connor, James and Robyn discuss what the end of the school year means….family wise.
Date: June 6, 2010
Upcoming Summer
Rating: PG
Xavier Mansion - Attic
Every wall is made of glass up to the domed ceiling. Storm has really done her work up here over time and turned it into quite the indoor garden. The room is separated into different parts for the different plants that are in there. There are flowers, vegetable plants, herbs, shrubs, small trees and much more. There are plants that shouldn't even be able to be found in this northern climate but they thrive up here. Anyone wanting to come up here for fresh herbs, fruit or vegetables are welcome to steal from the indoor garden. Depending on the time of year, various different species of flowers and different fruits and vegetables grow. In one area there are a few small fountains and a bench with some fresh dirt on the the ground with trees and plants all around. It seems like a good spot for meditation.
It's Saturday evening, and James finds himself hiding out in the attic. Ignoring the rest of the goings on, the hyena is set up in the corner amassing a pile of broken pottery as he tests out his new fangled ability. Still a relative secret of his, he's keeping it off the staff's radar; instead choosing to fine tune his 'weakness detection' among his friends and allies, not his teachers and squad leaders. And so it's with an occasional *tap* and *crash*along with some incessant gigglingthat everyone will be treated to.
The tromping of boots on the stairs from the observatory is a familiar prelude to the entrance of one of the few people who would take that giggling for what it's worth. Connor comes up into view with a small bag over his shoulder, looking around for several moments before making his way into the garden proper. It's the latest crack and giggle that makes his brow arch, and then his mouth curl a slight smirk before he says, "Hey." And with that he moves to an unoccupied spot close by, but under the cameras, where he rolls out a clean towel over the dirt… carefully and fastidiously trying to create a perfectly clean rectangle for which to sit upon.
With a peanut butter sandwich in one hand and a can of Dr. Pepper in the other, Robyn wanders up to the attic. He's been sculpting something most of the afternoon and has finally stopped for a quick dinner, deciding to eat it up in the attic. After all it's relaxing up in the planty paradise. There's clay stains on his cloths and even some in his hair as it looks like whatever he's been working on he's been quite focused on. As soon as he puts his foot on the last step, Robyn hears James's giggling and steps further into the room curiously. "Hey James, hey Connor..guess this is a popular spot tonight."
James never turns around, his hulking figure stedfast at a make-shift milk crate desk, "Hey Connor…Robyn? Wow…it 'is' popular." One pot left in his homework….then nothing as its shards fall on the floor. He stands up to grab a broom and gives both of his friends a sensing look. "What you all doing up here?"
"Can't say for Robyn… but I'm up here to try and meditate. I just got through with speaking with my parents… and getting an earful about how I -BETTER- come home at least for a bit…" There is a bit of the roll of his eyes before he takes off his boots, and begins to settle in on his spot, curling one leg over the other in an easy display of dexterity.
"I was told that I should get out of the art room for a bit and get something to eat since I've been in there since ten am." Robyn says taking a bite out of his peanut butter sandwich, almost inhaling it. "I just thought I'd come up here for the freshest air inside the building, what about you?" He asks before looking over at Connor. "Don't worry, the room won't be trashed if you leave for a bit." He says with a girn.
James watches Connor as he brings said broom over to the mess and starts sweeping, "Parents haven't asked, and I'm not volunteering. So, it's safe to assume I'm here all Summer." He shrugs, "I mean, really what would I do anyways. Sit in my room for 2 months while my dad farms? I'm better off here." When he thinks he can get away with it, he tries to tap Connor on the rear with the broom handle. "Me?" he asks of Robyn, "Breaking things." It's a rather nonchalant response to a subject involving destruction. Per usual.
Connor exhales once as he closes his eyes, and then settles his hands gently on his knees, remaining somewhat calm and composed as a deep breath is taken in through his nose and then out his mouth, creating soothing rhythm. Once James' statement is made however, he cracks one eye and looks his way, "So what about you Robyn? I mean… you're only a couple hours away from your family. There's no reason for you to go home either."
Breaking things, how come Robyn really isn't surprised. "I'll be back and fourth during the summer since I'm about two hours away my parents know there aren't any excuses and…I'm a bit homesick, I'll admit that." Home is safe. He finds a spot to sit on one of the benches around the room and takes a long sip from his soda. "The only reason I have not to spend the entire summer at home is that I don't wanna be draining my parents daily, or the neighbors or anything. I stayed here last summer too."
James smiles at Connor's lack of respons and gets reads to full on smack him with the staw-broom end. Holding it like a golf club he pulls it back, and catches Robyn's gaze…so tosses it away in a random direction. "I kinda wonder if I can heal from your draining. Someday, lets find out. I might be a good alternative if so. I mean, I do great with cuts and bruises. Why not that?" Not that he has any idea what Robyn's power involves past the basic-ness. "So…who's left out of the decent students? Rashmi and Lucas graduate. I 'think' Jinx is here for another year. Us three…"
Unable to hold back a smile, Connor turns his head to look over his shoulder at James, "Upcoming is my senior year… though I'm thinking of asking the staff if I can stay on as a teacher's assistant for an extra year. I've been told I have a good hand with the younger kids for the self-defense class, and there's a lot more I feel like I need to learn from Doctor McCoy." But then he adds with a tilt of his head, "I dunno James… stick a straw hat and a pair of overalls on you, and you'd fit right in… heck… stick a piece of straw in your mouth to perfect the image."
Robyn bites his lip at James says that and gives him a doubtful look. "I mean, we can try, the worst is you'll end up with a really bad headache for a while but I don't physically 'hurt' people. I go for the mind, my powers are all based on attacking mentally, which means up close and personally, I better run like hell." He then thinks on James's question for a bit. "I know Jordan and I are in the same grade…um….I know Mike will still be around but I figure if I ignore half of what Mike says he makes some sort of sense." With all his crazy car talk and more. "And there's nothing wrong with staying around here, I just plan on going to art school."
James answers Connor's statement with a head tilt and a questioning look "Eh? Straw hat and overalls? I don't get it?" Probably because that's what he DOES wear at home. On the subject of the future James shrugs, "Until I can shift back. IF I can ever shift back. I'm stuck here. Or somewhere like it. It's what I got. And I'm not gonna go fart around some military school that's part of a government that supports anti-mutant laws." He huffs a little and shakes out his neck. "As for the headache. Sure. lets try it some night. What's the worst that can happen?"
Before Robyn can say anything on that topic, Connor perks up a bit, "Just because one part of the government espouses mutant registration, does not mean all of it wants it. But… I've had a running argument with my uncle on that topic for a long time. I don't agree with the policy, but I understand the reasoning behind it." Turning back to re-settle his meditative position, he takes another of his breaths, and relaxes his shoulders, then his hands, then his facial features.
"You have one of those image inducers right James? I thought the first time I met you were using it to look like Death. Is it really that horrible?" Robyn is more just wondering what James doesn't like about it as he figures it might be that feeling like you're constantly hiding in a mask you can't take off. "If you can ever shift back James, I'll help you find a way to do so."
James crosses his arms, giving Connor a downcast look, "Doesn't matter who wants it and who doesn't. What matters is that things have been passed. And I don't want to be part of it. I'm not saying screw the government. But I'm not gonna put myself in a position to be screwed either." The hyena looks up at Robyn, "Yeah. I have one. I just don't use it. I feel like less of a monster when I look like this." James puts his hands up, "Yeah…I know…that was months ago. And everyone's being supportive and all that…but welll…shit happened. And I'm not always comfortable with that." he flattens his ears, "I know…I keep putting the mall trip off. But…well…I'm busy."
Finally giving up, he pushes himself up off the towel, and turns around to face James, Connor crossing his arms over his chest, "No… you're not busy. You're just worried. Which is natural. All those smells, all those people… too many too close, and you're afraid part of you will panic in a bad way. But you're going to have to do it. Because you can't stay like this forever, James. It's not fair on yourself. It's just a matter of one step and then another. And if it doesn't work the first time, you try again… and again… until you get it right."
Robyn walks over to James and puts a hand on his arm. "Just take your time with it James. It's okay, it's not like I'm in any rush to head to the mall after seeing Sabertooth there." Robyn looks over at Connor and shakes his head. "It's not always as easy as try, try again. I can never fully understand what it's like for James as I still look normal. I can still pretend I can fit in with normal people, James..as much as we don't care what he looks like, others do." He looks at James and smiles. "Sorry, just…take your time okay? No ones gonna rush ya."
James inhales heavily through his nose, exhaling the same way as his ears turn sideways, "Leave it." Arms come uncrosses, hands making a 'cut' gesture as they do, "As much as both of you are my friends, I don't need the sympathy or the looking after. And the last thing I need is for this to turn into a subject about me. I am fully aware of my thoughts and feelings on the subject, and I don't need them repeated to me." He turns his head towards Connor, "Especially when you're incorrect." But is he? He sighs and waves a paw, walking towards the exit, "I'm still in danger of failing my history final. So I'm gonna go study before I end up with summer school."
Connor just adds a sigh and a shake of his head, before offering a shrug of his own, "Allright. See you later, James." And with that he goes to his bag, and takes out his own can of Dr. Pepper, cleaning it before he cracks the top and takes a couple swigs from it, watching the hyena depart.
Robyn gets quiet and nods, "Sorry James..I didn't mean it like that." He looks over at Connor and frowns. "I think I'm gonna head back to the art room anyway, I'm probably gonna be in there late tonight. I think I've spent enough time out of there so I won't be given too hard of a time." He says with a grin but then he's probably been down in the art room almost twelve hours so far. "I'll see ya in the morning Connor." He says leaving not to long after James.
